SPRINGFIELD -- After a disappointing first round, Sikeston's golf team made a drastic turnaround in the Class 3A Golf Championships on Tuesday, moving from 13th place to sixth with a team score of 320.
It was the second best team score posted in the two-day event.
The Bulldogs headed to state with the goal of finishing in the top five, but sixth place was enough to please head coach Rick Oetting.
"It was just a tremendous turnaround today," said Oetting. "The guys went out and really showed what Sikeston golf is all about -- they were really talking about us today."
Sikeston's two-day total score was 671, just one stroke shy of the fifth place Eldon team.
E.C. Atchison, Jonathan Spence and Matt Bain all set the tone early with 39s on the back nine at the Rivercut Golf Course. Senior Brandon DeWitt struggled with a 43 on the back, but came through and shot even on the front to finish with a 79. He finished with a two-day total of 169.
"I was glad to see my senior finish with a personal best (at state) and finish in the 70s," said Oetting. "He did a tremendous job. He will be missed next year, and not only because he's a good player. He is a wonderful leader and the team is going to miss that."
Atchison and Spence each finished at 80, while Bain and Tanner Fritz both checked in at 81.
Spence added his score to his first-round total of 79 to finish in 16th place, just one shy of medalist honors.
Total scores for the rest of the team were: Atchison (171), Bain (172) and Fritz (172).
"We've got four guys coming back (next year) knowing what they can do," said Oetting. "The scores they had today were champion potential -- you just have to do it for two days. This experience should make us a strong team in the future."
Sikeston wasn't the only area squad to have success at state. Dexter had an incredible day and won the tournament overall with a score of 653. Kyle Christian tied for fourth place overall with a score of 154 in the two rounds. Other Dexter scorers were Chad Gill (163), Ryan Jackson (168), Matt Christian (169) and Michael Williams (169).
Ste. Genevieve's Zach Decker, also from the district, took first place as an individual with a 148.
"Our district really made a huge dent today," said Oetting. "Southeast Missouri did good. The weather was gorgeous today and it allowed the greens and the fairways to dry out."